NE Florida News

Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean (FL-04) led a hearing on K-12 curricula in Washington. The session, titled "Back to Basics: America's Founding, Civics, Self-Government in K-12 Curricula," addressed concerns about the current state of education in American schools.

Chairman Bean began his remarks by quoting Jim Rohn: "Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it." He emphasized the limited time available for teachers to educate students and highlighted research from NWEA Research indicating that eighth graders are behind in math and reading four years after the pandemic.

Bean expressed concern over what he described as a shift away from traditional educational narratives toward what he termed "woke and divisive Marxist inspired ideology." He stated that Critical Race Theory (CRT) has entered classrooms across America and is influencing how young people perceive themselves and others. According to Bean, CRT teaches children that race defines them and creates unnecessary division.

He cited examples such as California's Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and New York City's Black Studies curriculum as evidence of CRT's presence in schools. Additionally, Bean mentioned Chicago public schools' integration of gender ideology into their curriculum.

Bean also criticized the U.S. Department of Education for supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities tied to American history and civics grant programs. He warned parents that this signals CRT's potential spread to local schools.

In response to these developments, Bean advocated for alternatives like 1776 Unites, the Jack Miller Center, and the University of North Carolina's School of Civic Life and Leadership. These initiatives aim to promote civic literacy and understanding of America's founding principles.

Concluding his statement, Bean urged action against what he called "educational malpractice" that teaches children shame or victimhood without hope for change. He stressed the importance of fighting for children's education as crucial for the nation's future.